Pump and Fittings for Recirculating Ice Water through IC

**doggage** · 11-23-2009, 12:32 AM

What pump do you use for recirculating ice water through your IC? I want something cheap, but all I could find in the 300 GPH range at the hardware store was way too pricey--around 90 bucks. (I seem to remember a thread about some good pumps to use but am having trouble finding it.)

On a side note, I use 1/2 ID silicone tubing from NB and a 3/8 IC with brass hose fittings. Anyone who has this setup and could recommend a pump that would require a minimum of fittings?

DavidP · 11-23-2009, 01:45 AM

I bought a 320 GPH pond pump from a big box home store for $40. Works pretty well for my 50' chiller. Its output is 1/4" threads so adapting it to your chiller shouldn't be too hard.

**BargainFittings** · 11-23-2009, 02:08 AM

Harborfreight has several pumps for $30-$50

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45014

**Brewmoor** · 11-23-2009, 02:15 AM

I use a Shurflo 12v pump to recirculate ice water. It works pretty well. I am working on making is solar I run it with 4 Computer UPS batteries.

They make them in 120v too. It was not too pricey somewhere around $50 I think.

Synovia · 11-23-2009, 02:48 AM

just use a maxijet or something. $20 at any pet shop, 300gph, will run forever.

zanemoseley · 11-23-2009, 10:56 PM

Synovia beat me to the punch, you can get a Maxijet 1200 (285 GPH) at Marinedepot.com for $20. I use one and the best part is that the tubing just slips over the copper, no fittings required except a hose clamp maybe. Here's a link with a picture:

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/pic-new-pump-fed-ice-water-ic-99420/

**khiddy** · 11-23-2009, 11:10 PM

I paid about $13 at Harbor Freight for my IC pump. I don't know the GPH rating, but it's getting the job done in ~20 minutes if I use all ice in the tub.